Trident Taskforce Seize Drugs and Chemicals in Joint Operation

Detectives from the Trident Taskforce yesterday arrested two people and seized significant quantities of GBL and 1,4 Butanediol as part of a joint drug trafficking investigation.

The operation, which involved Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police, and Australian Border Force personnel, commenced earlier this month after 600kg of border-controlled substance Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL) was detected hidden inside an incoming sea cargo consignment.

Two further attempted imports of 1,4 Butanediol were also detected by Australian Border Force as part of the investigation and seized.

The chemicals are valued at over $700,000.

Yesterday morning investigators executed a search warrant at Chetwynd Street, North Melbourne and arrested a 28-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman.

Further search warrants were subsequently executed at addresses in Lynch Street, Sunshine and Sussex Street, Pascoe Vale.

Police seized a number of items from the three addresses including two firearms, cash, drugs, pre-cursor chemicals and laboratory equipment.

A crime scene remains in place at the North Melbourne address and police will continue to work through the day.

The man has been charged with a number of state and Commonwealth offences including import border controlled drug, attempt to possess commercial quantity of border controlled drug, and attempt to possess drug of dependence – large commercial quantity.

The woman has been charged with a number of state and Commonwealth offences including attempt to traffic drug of dependence – large commercial quantity, attempt to possess drug of dependence – large commercial quantity and bail offences.

Both appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today and were remanded to appear again on 16 November.

Australian Border Force Acting Assistant Commissioner James Watson noted the expertise of the ABF in the detection of dangerous substances and its commitment to disrupting criminal activity.